So you want to start a YouTube channel…

If you are running a business in 2018, you will already know there is a huge potential audience out there ready to see what you have to offer and how it can add value. Openly sharing your skills, knowledge and experience creates a connection with your community. Such a connection will give you leverage to sell your products and services.

The best way to engage and connect with your audience is through video. It’s very important to post unique, good quality, to the point videos. Having filmed and edited video content for hundreds of clients over the years, we have compiled a few tips to nudge you in the right direction and give you a strong starting point towards a successful vlog or YouTube channel.

Quality content:

High-quality videos get more views on YouTube. Nowadays there is no excuse for poorly filmed videos with terrible sound. Using the right filming and editing kit you will get:

• Good lighting: It’s not necessarily about having expensive lights, but good lighting is crucial.
• Reduced noise: A good quality microphone and a quality editing program that will allow you to filter out background noise for much clearer sound.
• Crisp images: Again, it doesn’t have to be an expensive camera, but filming in HD at least will provide a higher quality video

Music

If you want to add music to your videos make sure you own the rights to use that particular track or at least check that the track is not copyrighted. Copyright violation is a serious issue that could result in a disabled video, a banned channel, and even legal action from the copyright holder. YouTube has a very convenient catalogue of music that is free to use, all tracks have been pre-approved and there’s no need to worry about copyright claims.

Film horizontally

Vertical videos are all the rage on social media these days. Not on YouTube. Think of YouTube as you would of a TV channel. There are no funny blank spaces on the sides of the screen of a TV show. When you film horizontally you get better use of space. There is more room on the sides and less wasted space above your head.